Head of Medusa, cameo 1840–50, mount ca. 1860, Italian, executed in England (London), Red jasper mounted in gold with white enamel, Overall (isible cameo): 2 1/8 in. (5.3 cm), 53.2 mm, Lapidary Work-Gems, Cameo by Benedetto Pistrucci (Italian, 1783–1855, active England), One of the most elegant of all Medusas, this head borrows freely from the ancient marble mask known as the Rondanini Medusa in the Glyptothek, Munich. The cameo was commissioned from Benedetto Pistrucci for the impressive sum of 200 guineas by a London dentist and collector, Samuel Cartwright, who also ordered a marble bust of himself (National Portrait Gallery, London)
Keywords:
Head, Medusa, cameo 1840–50, mount ca, 1860, Italian, executed, England, London, Red jasper mounted, gold, white enamel, Overall, isible cameo, 2 1/8, 5.3 cm, 53.2 mm, Lapidary Work-Gems, Cameo by Benedetto Pistrucci, 1783–1855, active England, elegant, Medusas, head borrows freely, ancient marble, mask, Rondanini Medusa, Glyptothek, Munich, cameo, commissioned, Benedetto, impressive sum, 200 guineas, London dentist, collector, Samuel Cartwright, ordered, marble bust, National Portrait, Gallery
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